Purrawunda vs Yargullen, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Purrawunda and Yargullen are both Toowoomba Regional Council suburbs, sitting 33.5 km and 35.9 km from Toowoomba CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $161 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years, Purrawunda costs about $1,800 less to run than Yargullen. That's about $4 a week.
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Yargullen
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Purrawunda | Yargullen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,444 | $1,444 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,188 | $2,188 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,804 | $6,915 | -$111 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,100 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,486 | $12,647 | -$161 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,874 | $5,924 | -$50 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Purrawunda | Yargullen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,274 | $2,274 | - |
| Unit | $1,870 | $1,870 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Purrawunda vs Yargullen (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Purrawunda and Yargullen cost within $161 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,846, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $111 per year. Yargullen is 35.9 km from Toowoomba CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,874 and $5,924 a year, so the $161 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,444 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,188 a year.
- Driving commute favours Purrawunda by $111 a year, $6,804 against $6,915.
- Building insurance favours Purrawunda by $50 a year, $2,050 against $2,100.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Purrawunda cumulative | Yargullen cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,486 | $12,647 | $161 |
| Year 3 | $38,593 | $39,091 | $498 |
| Year 5 | $66,290 | $67,145 | $855 |
| Year 10 | $143,138 | $144,984 | $1,846 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Purrawunda or Yargullen cheaper to live in?
Purrawunda is cheaper to run by car at $12,486 per year versus $12,647 for Yargullen, a difference of $161 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Purrawunda and Yargullen?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,444 in Purrawunda (Toowoomba Regional Council) and $1,444 in Yargullen (Toowoomba Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,188 in Purrawunda and $2,188 in Yargullen. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Purrawunda and Yargullen?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,804 from Purrawunda and $6,915 from Yargullen to Toowoomba CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Purrawunda and $192 from Yargullen.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Purrawunda and Yargullen?
At 3% annual cost growth, Purrawunda costs a cumulative $143,138 and Yargullen costs $144,984 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,846 in favour of Purrawunda. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Purrawunda and Yargullen suits you better?
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Sources: Toowoomba Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.